Rieppeleon brevicaudatus

Rieppeleon brevicaudatus
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
	CITES Appendix II
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Rieppeleon
Species:	R. brevicaudatus
Binomial name
	Rieppeleon brevicaudatus; (Matschie, 1892)
Synonyms
	Chamaeleon (Brookesia) brevicaudatus Matschie, 1892; Brookesia brevicaudata (Matschie, 1892); Rhampholeon brevicaudatus (Matschie, 1892)

Rieppeleon brevicaudatus, commonly known as the bearded leaf chameleon or bearded pygmy chameleon,^[3] is a chameleon originating from the eastern Usambara and Uluguru Mountains in northeastern Tanzania and Kenya. It is easily distinguished from others in the Rieppeleon genus by the presence of a "beard" below the mouth, consisting of a few raised scales. At a full grown length of only 3 in (8 cm), it is marked by somewhat drab coloring in comparison to other chameleons, usually assuming a brown or tan coloring. It is quite capable of changing its coloration, though, often taking on a shade to blend into the background and becoming darker when under stress. It is also capable of compressing its body laterally and producing a stripe down its side, mimicking a dead leaf. It often assumes this form when sleeping in the open. It can adopt a variety of colors, including yellow, green, orange, black, and brown. A common misconception is that these chameleons use their color-changing abilities as camouflage, but they actually use their color-changing skin to court and show stress or emotion. Males are distinguished by a longer tail, more prominent dorsal crest, slimmer body type, and persistent patterning. Like others in the family Chamaeleonidae, it is distinguished by independently rotating eye sockets and a tongue longer than its body.